My Human Rights Smart City: Improving Human Rights Transparency Identification System

Abstract

This article focuses on fundamental human rights based on a historical literature review. Methodologically, a literature review and application of the design thinking (DT) method were used in three sessions using storytelling techniques and canvas drawings with managers specializing in “smart and sustainable city” projects in Brazil. The scientific work demonstrates that, in the view of the participating experts selected according to the research criteria, there are many gaps regarding fundamental human rights in cities. The digitalization of cities, with its layers of digital governance, alone is insufficient to cover gaps in basic information for populations. With the participants’ insights, it was possible to design and develop a software application (app) under strict requirements with anonymization and geolocations of human rights violations. The tests also highlighted limitations and future improvements. It is believed that the article brings an innovative approach from a scientific point of view, with a high degree of originality due to the outcomes generated from the experiences of the authors and managers specializing in managing new “smart cities”. This governance tool has the potential to be installed and improved in more than 30 countries and thus serve almost 70 million citizens around the world. A software technology transfer has already been made to the project’s partner company.